There’s nothing worse for Brett Favre than not being the center of attention all the F’ing time. So it’ll be upsetting news to him when he finds out the Vikes have given him a deadline of a week to make up his freaking mind already on whether or not he’s coming back.

[ESPN]

Every summer, I start to think about NCAA two-zero-fill-in-the-blank, and Madden two-zero-fill-in-the-blank. This year will be NCAA 2010, and Madden 2010, and given that both of my teams should be good (Georgia Tech and the Falcons), I feel a little more excited than most.

[Falcons Message Board]

In an effort to repair his incredibly damaged image, Michael Vick is going to team up with the Humane Society in a program aimed at eradicating dog fighting amongst urban teens.

“He indicated that he’s tremendously remorseful about this, and now he wants to be an agent of change, to work to end dogfighting and to specifically get young kids to cease any involvement in these activities,” Pacelle said.

I’m going to assume what everyone’s assuming, and that’s that Mike is only doing this to better his chances at getting back in the NFL. That said, give the guy some credit for swallowing his pride and teaming up in an effort he more than likely couldn’t care less about.

Next thing on everyone’s mind: Where does he sign? The obvious choice is Oakland, because Batshit Crazy Al Davis runs the team, but they’ve got their quarterback (”JaMarcus Russell is a great quarterback — get over it!”). Other teams would be the Minnesota Vikings, San Francisco 49′ers, Seattle Seahawks, St. Louis Rams, Buffalo Bills, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, or, in something I consdier a long shot, the Tennessee Titans. The Falcons still have him under contract, and are currently asking for a 7th round draft pick in the year 2029.

[AJC]

There isn’t much reason for a 39 year-old ex-quarterback to get surgery on his hurt bicep. Not, unless, he plans on throwing the football again. And what team has he decided to ruin this time around? Why, it’s those lovely Vikings, who used to depend on the run game, and will now air it out and go 2-6 down the stretch, ruining their shots at a playoff birth and getting their head coach fired. Sound familiar? It should.

Rehabilitation would be six to eight weeks.

If it goes well, Farve, who will turn 40 in October, is expected to sign with the Minnesota Vikings, the Pioneer Press reports.

Favre’s agent Bus Cook, however, has insisted in interviews this month that Favre will remain retired.

Eric Mangini said goodbye to New York. I think Brad Childress will say goodbye to Minnesota. And when Farve ruins a team again, I hope he just stays retired this time. Seriously.

[AJC]

Is it possible to retire, want to come back, retire, then want to come back all in the span of a year? Well, if it isn’t, then Brett Favre’s a miracle maker, and I mean that more than being able to single handedly wreck the Jets’ playoffs hopes last year with interception after interception.

The guy, as it turns out, is eyeing a possible return. Yippee.

Citing an anonymous source “with direct knowledge of the discussions between the two parties,” ESPN reported Tuesday that Favre is scheduled to meet with Vikings coach Brad Childress later this week about a possible comeback with Minnesota.

It was believed all along that Favre, after hearing Green Bay’s plans to go with Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, wanted to come to NFC North rival Minnesota so he could exact some revenge on the Packers.

Revenge? For what? For employing the guy four years too long, letting him retire, and then telling him he can’t come back and just expect to be the starter after he does retire and then three months later decides he isn’t done yet?

Man, that guy must be pissed. Prepare, people: We’re going to have another year of listening to “this is Favre’s last year.” Let’s see if he can crush Minnesota’s playoff hopes like he did the Jets. AT this point, would you really even want the guy?

[AJC]

I’m not somebody that really cares about draft grades the day after a draft — how many times have these so-called “experts” been wrong in the past? — but since NFL is officially over, and since we’re stuck with a few boring NBA series right now and 145 more MLB games, I figure I may as well milk this post for what it’s worth.

It’s the last time we’ll be discussing the NFL until a Bengals player gets arrested in the offseason.

How’d your team do over the weekend? I’ve got lots of different opinions from lots of different people. Click here and you can see how Pete Prisco of CBS Sportsline rates the picks; click here to see how Larry Weisman, writer for USA Today, breaks down all seven rounds. Clifton Brown, writer for Sporting News Today, has his take here; for Yahoo! Sports, go here.

I’d give you Todd McShay or Mel Kiper, Jr., but they’re douche bags and charge you $39.95 a year for their services — if I could charge everyone $39.95 to be completely wrong about how a player will turn out, I would. McShay isn’t that bad, but Kiper’s looked like a weatherman with some of his recent predictions.

Enjoy the grades. They mean nothing. At the end of the day, Calvin Johnson has to catch Matthew Stafford’s passes, and DHB wasn’t a stretch by Oakland until he officially busts in Oakland. I think I speak for a lot of people when I say I’m counting down to September. Fall, you couldn’t get here soon enough.

It’s fun each year wondering who’s going to be cursed, but this year we won’t have to wonder if AP will get just 900 yards and five touchdowns all season. Per PFT, he’s said no to the Madden cover, something that used to be a real priviledge and has now become a chore. Even if you aren’t cursed, some how Madden-a-holics will twist your stats around to somehow say you were victim. And your life will never be the same.

Ask Daunte Culpepper.

Or, better yet, take a stroll down Leavensworth, and ask our boy Michael Vick.

[Pro Football Talk]

ESPN has a nice little piece on each team’s strength of schedule for 2009. It also notes that if you went from worst to first in the NFC South, then you’re pretty much screwed (see: Falcons, who have the fourth hardest schedule this year, with opponents’ records being a combined 150-105).

An interesting note: The Cardinals, who made the Super Bowl, have the 27th hardest schedule, or sixth easiest next year; the Minnesota Vikings, who won their division and played a first round playoff game at home, have the second easiest schedule. The Patriots, who missed the playoffs, have the third easiest schedule.

You can see all teams here. With the addition of Jay Cutler, and with the easiest schedule in the NFL, it looks as if the Bears might have an easy ride to the playoffs next year.

[ESPN]

I’ve noted many times that the NFL Combine is the most overrated event in sports when it comes to gauging talent, yet every year I get caught up in what a guy runs or what a guy jumps or what a guy throws (combine studs that probably went a bit high: JaMarcus Russell, Donte Stallworth, and just last year, Vernon Gholston).

That said, via The Big Lead, here’s some guys that impressed, and some guys that didn’t. A couple of notables on my end, from what I’ve seen on NFL Network:

Pat White, QB/WR: He ran an unofficial time of 4.49 in the 40, and then it was adjusted to a 4.55. He also jumped a solid nine feet in the broad jump, which is real important once you’re actually in the game. I know I often see guys stand in place, squat, and leap as far forward as possible. Like I said: Great gauge at talent.

Darius Heyward-Bey, WR: This guy was being talked about as a second rounder, but after running a 4.3 flat, he’s probably going to end up cracking the top 15. Michael Crabtree is still “the guy” when it comes to receivers, but Heyward-Bey is sure creeping up.

Derrick Anderson, WR: This is the guy that I think will be a solid NFL player — probably a good number two receiver — but his 4.58 40 will have schools not paying attention to whether or not he can run a route and catch the ball, and just say he’s too slow to play.

Beanie Wells, RB: I can’t tell if a 4.59 40 is good or bad for him. On one side, it’s slower than most strong safeties. But he’s 235 pounds, and at that size, how fast do you want him to run?

[The Big Lead]
Getting Listy With The Combine

So much for Arizona and San Diego being home underdogs. Both took care of business on Saturday, with Arizona jumping offsides on every snap (yes, I’m a Falcons fan), beating the Falcons 30-24, and the Chargers took care of business in San Diego, eliminating the Colts for the second consecutive year on a day no one could stop Lil’ Darren Sproles.

This isn’t my place to vent about the Falcons and how they got screwed, because to be honest, they were simply outplayed. Matt Ryan finally looked like a rookie, though his offensive line, receivers, the ref’s inability to call an offsides, and his defense didn’t do much to help him out.

Darren Sproles, on the other hand, single-handedly beat Indianapolis, going for 328 all-purpose yards and the final touchdown to end the game in overtime.

Meanwhile, in Miami today, the Dolphins didn’t show up. Chad Pennington, who threw only seven interceptions all year, threw four today, one that was picked by Ed Reed for six.

Minnesota is currently trailing the Eagles at home 16-7, but are driving and look as though they’ll at least get a field goal before the half expires. If Minnesota wins, they’ll face the Panthers next week and the Cardinals will get the Giants (update: Minnesota just scored; 16-14, Eagles). If the Eagles win, they’ll go up to the Meadowlands to face off with New York, and Arizona will play the Panthers in Carolina.

The Ravens will face the Titans next week, and San Diego will head to the Steel City to take on the No. 1 ranked defense of the Steelers. Should be fun to watch. Enjoy the rest of today’s games. Go Vikings; although I’ve got no reason to want them to win, I just think they’re a more balanced team to make a run.